WWALS Watershed Coalition advocates for conservation and stewardship of the Withlacoochee, Willacoochee, Alapaha, Little, and Suwannee River watersheds in south Georgia and north Florida through education, awareness, environmental monitoring, and citizen activities.

Many thanks to the Hahira Mayor and Council for passing
a resolution
in support of the water trail for the rivers that run less than six miles
west (the Little River) and east (the Withlacoochee River) of the
Hahira Courthouse where they met.

Council Patrick Warren also mentioned
his fear of
snakes.
I told the story of my English cousin and the alligators. Some people fear snakes, other fear alligators, and even more fear spiders, but actually the rivers are pretty safe.

Council Mason Barfield had asked for a previous agenda item how
much it would cost the city.
As I did for the other resolution, I pointed out that
this one would cost the city nothing and commit it to nothing beyond
saying it likes the water trail.
There was some further discussion, after which they put the resolution
on their Consent Agenda.

At their Regular Session Thursday, February 2, 2018, it passed along with
the rest of the Consent Agenda.

Thanks to City Manager Jonathan Sumner and City Clerk Lisa Mashburn for
facilitating this process.
Y’all come paddle with us!

A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT
THE WITHLACOOCHEE AND LITTLE RIVER WATER TRAIL
FOR THE CITY OF HAHIRA, GA

WHEREAS, the Little River and the Withlacoochee
River run less than six miles west and six miles east of Hahira,
Georgia, with convenient boating and fishing access at Folsom Bridge
and Hagan Bridge, both on Georgia Highway 122; and

WHEREAS, the Little River and the Withlacoochee
River are described in various guidebooks as “Intimate, shaded
in its northern reaches) mysterious in its beauty”, with
abundant wildlife, limestone shoals, and sandbars; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of Hahira value the natural
resources and outdoor recreation opportunities afforded by the
Little and Withlacoochee Rivers and their watersheds such as
fishing, swimming, boating, and birding; and

WHEREAS, the citizens value the Withlacoochee and
Little Rivers for water quality and habitat protection; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of the City will greatly
benefit from the recreational and natural experiences provided by a
water trail or blueway; and

WHEREAS, the Little and Withlacoochee River
watersheds also include creeks such as Franks Creek, as well as
lakes, ponds, swamps, sinks, and wetlands, that can be included in
maps, brochures, and guides for the Withlacoochee and Little River
Water Trail; and

WHEREAS, existing hiking and biking trails can be
linked to the Water Trail to encourage more multi-purpose
participation; and

WHEREAS, this water trail is consistent with the
comprehensive land use plan of Hahira and Lowndes County regarding:

“3.4.3. An active,
healthy lifestyle should be promoted through livable community urban
design and development patterns, including hiking, running, and
biking trails connecting urban and rural areas with parks and with
water trails along our creeks and rivers.”

In 6. Natural
Resources, Opportunities: “Promote education and awareness of
water resources, importance of quality and quantity of water,
historical resources, blueways, and boat landing
locations (e.g. on the Withlacoochee, Little, and Alapaha Rivers).”

V. Community Policies, 5. Land Use:

“5.3.4. Development
patterns should be promoted that encourage walkability and integrate
green spaces as well as both passive and active recreational areas,
including hiking, running, and biking trails connected to parks and
to water trails along the creeks and rivers.”

As well as other passages; and

WHEREAS, WWALS holds frequent outings on the
rivers, and every outing is a cleanup; and

WHEREAS, the economy of the City will benefit from
visitors to the Water Trail, and a Water Trail is a feature of
quality of life that is attractive to businesses and employees and
so may contribute to the economic development of the county; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of Hahira and visitors from
throughout the State of Georgia and the United States have for more
than twenty (20) years regularly and openly enjoyed and exercised a
right of passage by boat on the Little and Withlacoochee Rivers as
they travel past Hahira, thereby establishing a public easement of
passage on the river; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of Tift, Colquitt, Brooks,
Cook, Berrien, and Lowndes Counties, Georgia, as well as Madison and
Hamilton Counties, Florida, all share in this valuable resource and
most have provided for access to one or both of the Withlacoochee or
Little Rivers and to other streams or waterbodies in its watershed;
and

WHEREAS, the citizens of Hahira have indicated
their support for the water trail at Hahira City Council meetings;
and

WHEREAS, the City has repeatedly supported parks
and recreation with funding;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council
of Hahira, Georgia;

Section 2:
That the public easement
of passage established by more than twenty (20) years of regular and
open travel by boat on the Little and Withlacoochee River past
Hahira is hereby recognized and accepted by the Council on behalf of
the citizens of Hahira, and visitors from throughout the State of
Georgia and the United States; and

Section 3:
That this Resolution
shall take effect immediately upon its adoption; and

Section 4:
That we hereby direct each department in the City to work individually,
together, and with other governments and organizations to support
and implement the water trail.

PASSED AND ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL OF
HAHIRA, GEORGIA, this _1st_day of _February,_ 2018.